Three police jawans killed in Gadchiroli Naxal attack

Three police commandos were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in a forest area on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in the early hours of Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, the anti-Naxal commando force jawans were conducting a combing operation in the Bada Zariya forest area in Dhanora taluka when the Naxals triggered a landmine blast.

Three jawans of C-60 Commando Force were killed in the blast, police said, adding further details were awaited.

There was also an exchange of fire after the blast, locals said.

Senior police officials have rushed to the spot and the bodies are being brought to Gadchiroli, police said.

This is a major attack by Maoists in the last few months after police eliminated more than 23 ultras in different operations this year.